They told us today there are other women who are coming forward, which we should be worried about as his lawyers, but Vance says they have nothing. And Harry is buying it. A fact he keeps reiterating as he sits at the exclusive restaurant in his expensive suit, with his stupid hair and his beautiful face hiding a fucking monster.
“You okay, honey?”
The voice startles me and I slap a hand over my chest.
“Oh I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to frighten you.” The woman walks to where I’m standing with a sympathetic look, she reaches for a paper towel and hands it to me so I can dry my face. “It’s always the beautiful, rich ones that hurt the most.”
I’m not so much confused as I am surprised to learn this woman has seen who I’m with and how I’ve reacted to him. She’s jumped to the wrong conclusion, but I don’t have the energy to correct her. It’s what Vance wants after all and he’s been edging closer to my seat the whole time we’ve been here. Trying to ply me with alcohol which I’ve politely refused, drinking only water.
The woman looks to be in her mid-sixties, with elegant silver hair, immaculate make up and is wearing a designer dress that’s stunning on her petite figure.
I’m not used to women talking to me in bathrooms. They usually steer clear. And I don’t encourage anyone either.
“Whatever he did, remember we don’t need them if they aren’t making us happy.”
She gives me a kind smile as my chin wobbles. Oh dear God, am I going to cry? Is that all it takes, one stranger being kind to me, looking out for me. When I couldn’t spare Cara Dempsey even the tiniest modicum of grace today.
I let her cry and said nothing.
The woman mistakes my shame for something else and pats my shoulder. “You need help, say the word. I have a driver outside, we can escape in seconds.”
“Thank you,” I finally find my voice. “But I can handle him. And don’t worry,” I turn to look at my reflection. “He wishes he was getting anywhere near me. Ever.”
“I like your attitude honey. Just remember though,” she meets my eyes in the mirror. “Men can be slithering, venomous little assholes. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.”
She slips into a cubicle, and I steel myself to go back out there. He won’t get to me. I was raised in a motorcycle club, I’ve dealt with idiot bikers my whole life and some not so idiotic. Some that are really…
Nope, we will not go there. No remembering what the goddamn president of an MC chapter did to me two nights ago. I refuse to think about how I’veaccidentallyfallen into bed withtwobikers, when I’ve been so determined to never let any of them touch me.
I can handle one venomous, slithering asshole. My lips twitch into a smirk at the description.
It falls from my face when I re-enter the restaurant and see Vance sitting alone at our table. Something tells me Harry hasn’t gone to the bathroom. This is what Vance has wanted all along. To get me alone.
Instead of getting worried, nervous or annoyed, I’m just tired. I contemplate making up an excuse to leave but I’ve never run away from any situation in my life. There is no way I’m letting this man change that.
Unfortunately we’re not at a regular table, this is a booth and Vance has slid around to the middle, no matter which side I get in, I’ll be nearer to him. Harry was a buffer until the coward left. It’s so fucking obvious he folded like a bad hand so Vance could get what he wants.
He doesn’t realize who he is messing with. Neither of them do.
“Harry had an emergency come up,” Vance says as I sit back down. “He gives his apologies for leaving mid-dinner.”
“That’s unfortunate, I hope everything is okay,” I say with very little feeling.
Vance watches me. There is something very unnerving about this guy, he’s not going to intimidate me. It’s obvious he is capable of creeping women out, his intensity could unnerve anyone, men too I’m sure.
“One of his daughters,” Vance replies and picks up his glass of wine. “It doesn’t mean that you and I can’t celebrate the win today.”
Right, the win. A woman leaving in tears, fear written in every move she makes, and an opposing lawyer staring at both of us in disgust. Not to mention a client I fully believe is guilty. Instead of verbalizing any of that, I smile.
“You don’t agree?” he asks.
“We haven’t won anything yet. Depositions help towards your case but we can’t control how a judge will interpret any of what we present. Until we have a ruling, celebrating now may be a bit premature.” I make sure to emphasize that last word.
Vance’s head tilts as he studies me. Maybe I’m being more transparent than I’d like, or maybe Vance is smarter than I’ve given him credit for. In this moment, I realize what a conniving, manipulative sociopath he really is. With one look.
“However, you’re right it did go in our favor,” I force out the words, my face more neutral but I maintain eye contact with the bastard.
He grins, his lips stretching grotesquely. I’m sure he believes its charming. It’s amazing how you can see all the little things differently when you figure out someone’s true nature.
